Junior defenseman Paul Phillips was named captain of the 2012-2013 squad for his senior season after three years on the DU hockey team, head coach George Gwozdecky announced on April 20.
“It’s a huge honor,” said Phillips. “I was really excited. I know it’s a big responsibility, but I was shocked. It was a good feeling for me when he said that; all the years of hard work definitely feel like it pays off.”
As captain, Phillips has a few major goals for the team, but most importantly, he knows he needs to get the team ready for every game.
“I would say, beside the long-term goals of winning championships, [my goals are] just being able to get the guys ready for every single game, and I think from there, that builds,” said Phillips. “Once you play hard every game, then the wins start coming and the Gold Pan and then the series from there. So every series trying to get ready to go.”
To do so, Phillips is going to take a page out of former captains Drew Shore and Dustin Jackson’s book to get the team prepared.
“Leading by example,” said Phillips. “Being ready every single practice, every game, because everyone’s watching you having the big responsibility. Just learning what you have to do everyday because all the guys are following your lead.”
The Illinois native, who began skating at 4 years old and playing hockey at 5, joined the Pioneers in 2009 after playing for the Cedar Rapids Rough Riders in the United State Hockey League (USHL), where he served as the team’s captain for the 2008-2009 season. In the 2007-2008 season, he was the youngest player in the USHL.
Before donning his crimson and gold jersey, Phillips was a member of the 2008 U.S. U-18 select team, coached by former Denver coach Seth Appert, as well as a member of the 2007 U-17 team. Phillips was selected in the 7th round of the 2009 NHL draft (195th overall) by the Chicago Blackhawks.
After coming to Denver, Phillips took his place on the defensive line and has played 109 games for the Pioneers, tallying 17 points in his three years and contributing 294 hits and 122 blocked shots.
His rookie season, Phillips tallied four points off four assists and contributed 131 hits and 15 blocked shots, helping lead the Pioneers to the regular season title and the MacNaughton Cup.
In his second and third seasons, he tallied four points off four assists and nine points off one goal and eight assists, respectively. He also added 96 hits and 48 blocked shots his second year and 67 hits and 58 blocked shots his third.
The Pioneers’ season will kick off on Oct. 6 against the University of British Columbia, with the team being led by Phillips and alternate captains juniors Chris Knowlton and Shawn Ostrow and sophomore Nick Shore.
